At least five arrested in McLeod Lake Band office blockade

British Columbia RCMP officers arrested at least five people who were blockading the McLeod Lake Indian band office Monday over a litany of grievances including chief and band council decisions to sign onto resource development projects.

(YouTube video of blockade from May 25, 2012)

APTN National News
British Columbia RCMP officers arrested at least five people who were blockading the McLeod Lake Indian Band office Monday over a litany of grievances including chief and band council decisions to sign onto resource development projects.

Verne Solonas, a band member, said the five people arrested were scheduled to appear later Monday in a Prince George, B.C., courtroom to face charges stemming from ignoring an injunction obtained by the band against the blockade two weeks ago.

“(The band has) been signing a lot of agreements and not consulting the membership with a lot of the agreements,” said Solonas.

McLeod Lake Chief Derek Orr could not be reached for comment.

The community is about 140 kilometres north of Prince George.

Some band members are upset with the band council for signing onto the Mt. Milligan gold and copper mining project deal.

They also claim they were never told the band council had signed a “protocol” agreement with Enbridge on its proposed Northern Gateway pipeline project.

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